Link made up of two parts joined by an upsetting operation



y ,1959 A. 'JAEGER v 2,893,201

LINK MADE UP OF TWO PARTS JOINED BY AN UPSETTING OPERA'IION Filed Oct.1'7, 195s ,ZQ QA' I )6 /8- 5' a I Y ,I I 127 74 A; 4 /6 M IN V EN TOR.

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p 2,s9s,2o1 p .LINK MADE .UP. on TWO PARTS JOINED av i ANUPSE'ITINGOPERATION Adolf Jaeger, Cranston, R.I., assignor to Federal ChainCompany, a corporation of Rhode Island Application October 17, 1956,Serial No. 616,437

4 Claims. (CI. 59-80) This invention relates to an ornamental chain of atype which is worn on the person.

Heretofore, an ornamental chain of the type here referred to had each ofits links made of wire with the ends of the wire forming a centerportion practically filling the links between the connected end. Thelinks are wider than their thickness; and in order that the chain mightlay flat, the links were curbed or had the end portions of the loopstwisted for this purpose. In some cases, it was thought desirable toflatten the links; and to do this the links were either rolled or struckin a swedging machine in such a way that not only was the center portionof the links flattened, but also the end connecting curbed portions wereflattened, and this flat tening of the end portions would so distort thecurbing that the links would not hang straight when suspended.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a chain which willhang straight when suspended.

Another object of this invention is to flatten the center portions ofthe links without distorting the curbed end and connecting portions.

Another object of the invention is to arch the filled-in center portionsso as to provide some convexity on the surface and thus enhance thereflected light therefrom and provide highlights.

Another object of the invention is to form a firmer and stronger linkthan heretofore.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certainnovel features of construction as will be more fully described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a series of links constructed inaccordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of these links on a larger scale;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a series of links, each of which isformed of round wire in the initial formation by a machine;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the links shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the links of Figures 3 and 4 having beenstruck in the center portion;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the links shown in Figure 5 withthe anvil and hammer shown in striking relation on the link for theflattening or deforming of the center portion thereof;

Figure 7 is a plan view of one of the two parts of a link of Figure 3;and

Figure 8 is a sectional view through one of the links of the chain shownin Figure 5.

With reference to the drawings, 10 designates a length of chaincomprised of five links as shown in this figure each of identicalconstruction, the same being formed by a series of steps performed bymachine operations.

In Figure 3 I show a link designated generally 11 formed of twoidentical parts 12 as shown in Figu r e 7. These parts 12 each comprisea U-shaped end portion 13 i d S ates Pat 9 with oneleg 14 bent as at 15to dispose its end portion 16 in a hook shape, while its other leg 17 isbent as at- 18 to provide a portion 19 also in hook shape. The

"Figure 3 which is of identical construction tothat just described anddesignated 12, except it is disposed in opposite relation so that its Uportion 13 has its arched end in the opposite direction from that of thearched U portion 13 of the part 12 and is turned over so that the hooks15', 16' will be uppermost and will interlock with the hook 18, 19 asseen in Figure 3, and the hooks 18', 19' will interlock with the books15, 16 which is somewhat hidden in Figure 3.

The wire which forms these link parts is shown as round in cross sectionand will be spaced somewhat along the interlocking hook portions whichfills in the center portion of the loop having the U-shaped ends 13 and13' with the legs extending therefrom. In order that this chain which isof a width greater than its thickness, as may be seen from a comparisonof Figures 3 and 4, may lie flat or hang evenly when suspended, I curbor twist the portions 13 and 13 as shown at 20 and 20 in Figure 4 whichcauses this chain to hang evenly when suspended.

It is desirable that the filled-in center portion be furtherembellished, and I have caused this center portion to be struck in sucha way that the center portion only is deformed. This may be accomplishedas shown in Figure 6 by supporting each chain link individually in itsconnected relation in the chain on an anvil 21 striking the same with ahammer 22.

The anvil and hammer are of such a dimension lengthwise of the chainthat they will not touch the curbed end portions 20 and 20' as shown inFigure 6. The shaping is also such that there will be a convex surface22' formed on each side of the chain; and as the stock is flattened, thespaces between the hook ends 16' and 19 or 15' and 18 will be filled inas shown by the abutting edges 23, 24 and 25 in Figure 5. At the sametime, the end portions 26 and 27 will be broadened to be larger than theneck portions 28 and 29 to provide a good lock of these end portions onewith the other. The convexity of the surface 22' also serves to presenthighly ornamental highlights and a reflecting surface which isexceedingly attractive.

With the chain curbed as shown in Figure 4, even in the round wire thelinks will not pull apart because the curbing prevents the hooked endsfrom sliding one on the other. However, by reason of the flattening ofthese hooks as shown in Figure 5 so as to provide the enlarged ends aninterlock of the ends is provided and a much stronger chain and thecurbing need not be relied upon for preventing the attached parts 12 and12' of a link from separating.

In order to draw a chain as shown in Figure 3 through a machine, Iprovide a feed which will draw the chain between the anvil 21 and thehammer 22 step by step, placing a link upon the anvil at each feedingstep after which the hammer descends to shape the link as abovedescribed. Feeding operations may be by means of a hook which engagesone of the links and moves it the length of one of the links of thechain forwardly or in any other desired manner of feeding.

I claim:

1. A chain having links formed of two U-shaped wire portions with thelegs of each of said portions extending in a lengthwise direction towardeach other and in overlapping superimposed relation, each leg of each Uportion being doubled back upon itself in hook form with the hooks ofthe legs of one portion interlocking in tight Patented July 7, 1959engagement with the hooks of the other of saidVU portion, the wire atthe bightof each of said U portions being uniform in cross section andcurbed and the hooks atithe-mid; portion of the link being flattenedinia tight mutual interlock; A Y

12.: A chain asin claim 1 whe 'ein saidflattenedportions I ares-incontact throughout their length. 7 t

3. A chain as in claim l wherein said flattened areaisconcave. a v

4 A Vchain as in claim 1 wherein said wire ofuniform 10 cross section isround;

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. References. Cited. in .thevfile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSWilliams May 3, 1904 Andrews Jan. 3, 1928 Goldenberg July 9, 1935Girouard Oct. 12, 1937 ArfiibfustL; 1. June 21, 1955 Scliusti Apr. 3,1956

